Food: A Better Source of Nutrients

When you hear the words “crawfish”, “jambalaya”, “shrimp étouffée”, and “po’boy”, what comes to mind? Louisiana, of course! Aside from southern hospitality, Louisiana is known for its food and continues to occupy a distinct role as one of the major ingredients in the worldwide food culture. From the shouts of the Who Dat Nation cheering on the New Orleans Saints to the sighs of contentment of the family enjoying their Sunday meal while overlooking the mighty Mississippi River, any day of the week is a day to indulge in the amazing flavors of Louisiana cuisine. There is an innate expectation that Louisiana’s food quality will equal or surpass the variety and portions of foods offered at any meal. Therefore, ensuring and maintaining food quality is essential.

One measurement of food quality is the amount of nutrients it contains relative to the amount of energy it provides. High-quality foods are nutrient-dense, meaning they contain significant amounts of one or more essential nutrients relative to the amount of calories they provide. Nutrient-dense foods are the opposite of “empty-calorie” foods such as carbonated sugary soft drinks, which provide many calories and very few other nutrients. Food quality is also associated with its taste, texture, appearance, microbial content, and consumers’ liking.

It is better to get all your micronutrients from the foods you eat as opposed to from supplements. Supplements contain only what is listed on the label, but foods contain many more macronutrients, micronutrients, and other chemicals, like antioxidants, that benefit health. While vitamins, multivitamins, and supplements are a $20 billion industry in the United States, and more than 50 percent of Americans purchase and use them daily, there is no consistent evidence that they are better than food in promoting health and preventing disease.